When was Lands End Observatory built?
Usa, north-america
18.5 km
3,033 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in western Colorado, about to hit up Lands End Observatory. This place is perched way up high in Mesa County, at almost 10,000 feet!
You'll be cruising along Lands End Road (aka Forest Road 105), which is about 11.5 miles long. It's mostly gravel and paved, so your average car should be fine, especially when the weather's good. Just start from Colorado State Highway 65 (Grand Mesa Scenic Byway). Word to the wise: this road's usually snowed in during the winter, so plan your trip accordingly.
Lands End Observatory itself is this cool historic building built way back in the 30s. While the observatory isn't used anymore, the views are totally worth the drive. Seriously, they're insane! You can see the Book Cliffs stretching all the way into Utah. Then, spin around and BAM – the San Juan Mountains and the Uncompahgre Wilderness are right there. You can also spot the Colorado National Monument, Big and Little Dominguez Canyons, Unaweep Canyon, and a bunch of those epic 14,000-foot peaks. Just past Land's End the road begins a harrowing hairpin-turn descent of 6,000 feet to the valley below. Get your camera ready!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 18.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,033 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Libby Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
high mountain, crystal-clear snow-melt lake at an elevation of 3.289m (10,790ft) above sea level, located in Albany County, in the US state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads in Wyoming Sugarloaf and Medicine Bow Peak as the backdrop, is located south of northwestern part of Wyoming How long is the road to Libby Lake? The road to the lake is but in pretty good condition. It’s called . Starting at WY-130, the road is 1.12km (0.7 mile) long. The drive offers delightful views of the Snowy Range Is the road to Libby Lake open in winter? Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest , the road is usually closed from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). It is not generally snow-free until late June or even July in some years. It has a to drive on, due to snowfall and elevation. How to get ready to get to Libby Lake? The road can be a bit with you as you explore, and keep an eye out for . Be fully prepared for and pack multiple layers along with Highway 111 hugs the mountains and connects Palm Springs to the rest of the valley Driving the Custer Motorway to Mill Creek Summit Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardCathey Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out the road to Cathey Peak in New Mexico! This bad boy sits high in the Sacramento Mountains, clocking in at a cool 9,645 feet above sea level. Getting there is part of the adventure. It’s mostly paved, but get ready for some serious curves as you climb on Sunspot Highway (NM Hwy-6563). And hold on tight, because it’s STEEP! The last half-mile or so is unpaved, so be prepared for a little gravel action. Up top, you'll find a bunch of observatories – perfect for stargazing! Just a heads-up though, winter can bring a whole lot of snow to this area. So plan accordingly. This is definitely a road trip you won’t forget!
moderateRuta Tarahumara
🇲🇽 Mexico
Get ready for an epic road trip on the Ruta Tarahumara, connecting the charming towns of Creel and Guachochi in the heart of Chihuahua! This winding, two-lane road isn't just a way to get from point A to point B—it's a scenic adventure through the land of the Tarahumara (Raramuri) people, unlocking access to the breathtaking Copper Canyon and other hidden gems. Prepare to be blown away by the views! Think towering pine forests, majestic ponderosa trees, dramatic canyons, sparkling rivers, serene lakes, and incredible rock formations. It’s one of the main access routes to the Copper Canyon. The most picturesque stretch? Definitely the area near the Urique River. Here, the road carves its way into the Urique Canyon, revealing ancient cliff dwellings, bizarre rock formations, and intriguing ruins. The road peaks at an elevation of 8,333 feet near La Mesa and dips down to 5,938 feet at the Urique River, close to Basiborachi.
moderateIs the road to Aquarius Plateau in UT paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in south-central Utah, craving a real off-the-grid experience. Head to the Aquarius Plateau! This high-altitude beauty tops out at nearly 9,900 feet. The road? Oh, it's an adventure – FR-154, a completely unpaved path that'll have your 4x4 working for its keep, especially on those steeper climbs. Leave the RV at home, though; anything over 30 feet might be pushing it. This epic dirt road stretches for about 37 miles between Loa (charming county seat) and Posey Lake. Budget around 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive, and keep your eyes peeled – you're in black bear country! Heads up: this route is only accessible from roughly May to September, as the weather dictates. But trust me, the views are worth the wait. The Aquarius Plateau isn't just high; it's the highest timbered plateau on the continent!